Classic Poem

Next to angels man created was,
In knowledg and all parts he did surpass
The other creatures; yet is such a fool
Become by sin that he may go to school
To birds and beasts; the little ant and bee,
Both thrift can teach him, and good husbandry:
The serpent wisdom, the dove innocence,
That to avoid, this to give no offence.
That to prevent dangers before they fall,
And this not to revenge a wrong at all.
How farre is man to seek in both these kinds,
He by too sad experience daily finds.
Into a world of mischiefs he doth run,
Undoing others, and himself undone
Some serpent's craft he hath, but not the love,
The candour, and the mildnesse of the dove;
That hath took wing long since and fled away,
Nought but the serpent's sting doth stay.
Malice enough to be reveng'd, but none
Of the true wisdome of the beast; that's gone.
My God! Who didst both these at first instil
In dove and serpent; let it be Thy wil
T' infuse them both in me, that I may live
So innocent, as no offence I give
To others, and so prudent too, that I
May not to injuries exposed lie.